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Shopper's Paradise
Carpets and Durries
 Though a bulky item to carry home, the woollen carpets of Bikaner and Jaipur (generally based on Persian and Caucasian styles) and the traditional cotton durries (cool light rugs, mostly in pastel shades with a sparse use of geometrical motifs) can liven up even the dullest of floors.
Jewellery
Rajasthan became famous for its jewellery industry from very early times, being an important source of precious and semi-precious stones such as emerald, garnet, agate, amethyst, topaz and lapiz lazuli.
Though Jaipur is internationally renowned for its exquisite Kundan (the art of setting precious stones in gold) and meena (enamel) jewellery, meenakari is also done in Nathdwara near Udaipur.
Lac and glass bangles are a special attraction of Rajasthan and are made in a variety of colours and designs in Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Silver is commonly worn by rural women and one can pick up old tribal silver jewellery as well.
Leatherware
 Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer and Jaisalmer are traditionally known for their footwear. Incredibly comfortable and sturdy, the jootis have artistically emroidered uppers.
Leather is also an essential raw material for making musical instruments, especially percussion instruments (such as the tabla and dhol) and the stringed instruments (like kamaycha) used by Rajasthani folk musicians.
Bikaner is known for its painted lampshades, shields and vases made from camel hide. Designer hand-bags, purses, belts, hats, stools and collapsible chairs with graphic emroideries from Tilonia village near Ajmer also make a good buy.
Paintings
From humble village huts to the opulent palces of the Maharajas, paintings can be found everywhere in many colours and forms. Rajasthani paintings can broadly be classified into Wall, Cloth and Miniature Paintings.
Wall Painting
Walls and ceilings embellished with colourful paintings are a common sight in Rajasthan. Even huts have intricate mandanas on them. Some of the finest frescos adorn the havelis of the Shekhawati region and the ancient towns of Bundi and Kota. And some of the most humorous on the walls of houses tucked away in the lanes of Jaisalmer.
 Cloth
Paintings
They include the phad (scroll paintings illustrated with episodes of folk legends that the Bhopas narrate) and the pichwai (cloth hangings used behind the deity in Vaishnava temples such as the temple of Shrinathji at Nathdwara). Done in bright colours with bold outlines, these paintings have strong religious traditions.
Miniature Paintings
Different schools of this fascinating art have flourished here since the 16th century, each with its own distinctive style.
The Kishangarh school is best known for its Bani Thani paintings. A totally different style with highly exaggerated features - long necks, large almond-shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colours.The verdant greenery of the Kota-Bundi region is reflected in the paintings of that region.
The rulers of Amer-Jaipur were the closest to the Mughals and a strong Mughal influence crept into their paintings.
 Pottery
Rajasthan's terracotta tradition, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization, continues today in all parts of the state. The plaques of Molela (a small town near Udaipur) are a must-buy.
Clay is extensively used for making pots, dolls and other objects. Brush-painted images of folk divinities are sold in village fairs during festive times such as Gangaur, Teej and Diwali.
Jaipur is the home of glazed blue-pottery, which has its origin in Persia. Vases, flower pots, bowls, water pots and other objects are produced in traditional geometrical and floral motifs, as well as hand-painted details of Rajasthani legends.
 Puppets
Puppetry is an ancient and popular form of folk entertainment. No village fair, no religious festival and no social gathering in Rajasthan can be complete without the kathputlis (string puppets).
With their exaggerated eyes and brightly coloured dresses, the kathputlis are simply eye-catching.
Stone Craft
The use of brick was almost unknown in the geologically rich land of Rajasthan which produces the country's finest marble, sandstone, quartz and slate.
The extraordinary craftsmanship of Rajasthani stone workers is amply visible in the numerous temples and palaces. For the connoisseur, there are life-like statues and the intricately carved pillars and jalis (latticed grilles). The finest examples of jali work can be seen in the various havelis (mansions) of
Jaisalmer.
Textiles
Rajasthani textiles come in a fascinating range of dyed and block-printed fabric which are further embellished by embroidery.
 Each region has its own special colour scheme, design and technique.
Hand-block printed textiles of the townships of Sanganer and Bagru near Jaipur have won the hearts of millions at home and abroad. You can check out some fabulous stuff at Soma Shop. Jaipur's quilts are a hot favourite with most visitors.
Tie-and-dye textiles, called bandhej or bandhani are an important Rajasthani craft. Different methods are used to tie the fabric into small points and produce various patterns like lehariya, mothda, ekdali and shikari. The best bandhej comes from Sikar and Jodhpur, while Jaipur, Barmer, Pali, Udaipur and Nathdwara are the other centres.
Zari and gota are lavishly used in bridal and formal costumes. One can pick up saris or even cushion covers with this elaborate mettalic thread embroidery.
Woodwork
 Small carved wooden chests and boxes with brass inlay and laquer work are the some of the most popular items, together with sandalwood statues. For those who don't mind the extra bulk, there also is a wide range of grand furniture, reminiscent of the royal era.
Tilonia (near Ajmer) furniture also stands out for its fine emroidery work done on leather. As also the extravagantly carved furniture from Barmer region.
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